* DRESDEN and PRAGUE *
March 21 - 29, 2010

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At the Royal Opera House in Dresden, the Semper Opera,
Strauss's DER ROSENKAVALIER and DIE SCHWEIGSAME FRAU,
a RECITAL by Sir John Tomlinson and David Owen Norris
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At Leipzig's Gewandhaus, Bach's THE PASSION OF ST. JOHN, BWV 245
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In Prague, Mozart’s THE MAGIC FLUTE at the Estates Theatre and
Offenbach’s LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN at the National Theatre
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Join us on an exciting and spectacular tour to the heart of Europe.

* * * I T I N E R A R Y * * *

Sunday, March 21 - DRESDEN (D)

Arrive Dresden where one of Dailey-Thorp’s representatives will meet you and accompany you to the deluxe DRESDEN HILTON HOTEL located in the heart of the Old Town in the midst of the Baroque cityscape made famous by Canaletto’s paintings. The hotel is within easy walking distance of most of the major historic sights and near the monumental Frauenkirche, the symbol of Dresden, rising like a phoenix after more than 50 years in ruin. Welcome reception in the hotel’s BALANCE BAR at 3:30 PM.

Strauss’s DER ROSENKAVALIER (Semper Opera - 5:00 PM). The cast: Angela Denoke, Kurt Rydl, Anke Vondung, Hans-Joachim Ketelsen, Cornelia Götz, Andrea Ihle, Timothy Oliver. Graeme Jenkins conducts. Production by Uwe Eric Laufenberg, scenery by Christoph Schubiger, costumes by Jessica Karge.

After the performance, our welcome dinner in the hotel’s ROSSINI restaurant.

Monday, March 22 - DRESDEN (BL)

This morning a guided walking tour of the historic center of Baroque Dresden to include the ZWINGER, SEMPER OPERA HOUSE, HOFKIRCHE, BRÜHL’SCHE TERRASSE (Brühl Terrace), FÜRSTENZUG (Procession of Princes), and FRAUENKIRCHE. Then, at noon, attend a public ORGAN RECITAL and brief service in German at FRAUENKIRCHE. Lunch follows at the KURFÜRSTENHOF restaurant at Frauenkirche. Balance of afternoon free.

This evening: A RECITAL (Semper Opera - 8:00 PM). Sir John Tomlinson and David Owen Norris in works by Mussorgsky, Shostakovich, Wolf, Purcell and Vaughan Williams.

Tuesday, March 23 - MEISSEN--DRESDEN (BL)

This morning leave the hotel for a short drive along the Elbe River to the city of MEISSEN. A walking tour to enjoy the city. Luncheon in Meissen at the historic VINCENT RICHTER restaurant dating back to1523 and full of priceless antiques which add to the medieval atmosphere.

After lunch, a brief visit of the famous MEISSEN PORCELAIN FACTORY celebrating its 300th anniversary this year. Watch a demonstration of how the famous so-called "white-gold" is produced. There is also a fine porcelain museum on the premises. Return to Dresden.

This evening: Strauss's DIE SCHWEIGSAME FRAU (Semper Opera - 7:00 PM). The cast: Kurt Rydl, Christa Mayer, Klaus Kuttler, Oliver Ringelhahn, Ofelia Sala, Christiane Hossfeld, Karolina Gumos, Matthias Henneberg, Steffen Rössler, Tomislav Lucic; Peter Schneider conducts the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden. Production and stage design: Marco Arturo Marelli. Costume design: Dagmar Niefind-Marelli. A co-production with the Vienna State Opera.

Photo by Matthias Creutziger

Wednesday, March 24 - DRESDEN (BL)

This morning a visit to the OLD (HISTORIC) and the NEW GREEN VAULT, BOTH again located in their original site, the Saxon palace, to see the unparalleled collection of precious objects d’art, an unforgettable display of the court jeweler’s and craftsmen’s work in precious and semi-precious metals and stones from the former Saxon Treasury. This tour will be followed by a guided visit to the NEW GREEN VAULT.

Lunch at ITALIENISCHES DÖRFCHEN restaurant located on Theaterplatz.

Following lunch, a guided visit to the OLD MASTERS COLLECTION of the ZWINGER, one of the great galleries of Europe. Balance of day at leisure.

Thursday, March 25 - LEIPZIG--DRESDEN (BD)

Today a visit to LEIPZIG for a tour of the major sights. On the way to ST. THOMAS CHURCH, where Johann Sebastian Bach worked from1723-1750 and where he was laid to rest, we will pass Leipzig’s famous OLD CITY HALL, one of the most beautiful Renaissance city halls in Germany. It was built between 1556 and 1557 in just nine months.

A short ORGAN RECITAL at St. Thomas Church which dates back to the 12th Century. It was here in 1409 that the University of Leipzig was founded and where, in 1539, Martin Luther preached the implementation of the Reformation.

Next a visit to MENDELSSOHN HOUSE, the only surviving residence of the composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and the place where he died. Today, Mendelssohn House is a museum where many exhibits, including his original furniture, are on display. Continue the city tour, including a visit to the VÖLKERSCHLACHT-DENKMAL, a monumental memorial inaugurated in 1913 to commemorate the 130,000 soldiers who died in the BATTLE OF NATIONS which took place near Leipzig in 1813 when the combined armies of Russia, Austria, Prussia and Sweden defeated Napoleon’s army.

Dinner at famous AUERBACH’S KELLER restaurant. Between 1765 and 1768, the German poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe studied in Leipzig. A scene from his celebrated "Faust", "Auerbach's Cellar in Leipzig", made the restaurant world-famous.

This evening: A CONCERT (Gewandhaus zu Leipzig - 8:00 PM). Bach’s THE PASSION OF ST. JOHN, BWV 245. Riccardo Chailly conducting the Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Dresden Chamber Choir.

Transfer back to Dresden for the night.

Friday, March 26 - PRAGUE (BD)

Leave Dresden at noon for Prague. Upon arrival in Prague, check in at the PALACE HOTEL. Dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

This evening: Mozart’s THE MAGIC FLUTE (Estates Theatre - 7:00 PM). The cast: Sarastro: Zdenek Plech, Tamino: Jaroslav Brezina, The Queen of the Night: Jana Bernáthová, Pamina: Simona Houda-Šaturová, First Lady: Helena Kaupová, Second Lady: Stanislava Jirku, Third Lady: Eliška Weissová, Papageno: Jirí Hájek, Papagena: Martina Bauerová, Monostatos: Jirí Hruška; David Švec conducts.

Saturday, March 27 - PRAGUE (BL)

Today visit the CASTLE AREA (Hradcany), one of the most extensive royal complexes in the world, overlooking the Vltava (Moldau) River and site of Milos Forman's film, "Amadeus." Each cobblestone recalls historical events of Central European history--Charles IV, Jan Hus, the beginning of the Thirty Years War, the alchemists, Maria Teresa, Franz Kafka, Jan Masaryk.

Lunch at U TRI PSTROSU restaurant. Following lunch visit the newly renovated SMETANA MUSEUM. Afterward transfer back to the hotel. Balance of day at leisure.

Sunday, March 28 - PRAGUE (BL)

This morning a walking tour to explore the OLD TOWN of one of Europe's most beautifully preserved cities. The architecture of Prague represents elements from the Romanesque, Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque, Jugendstil and even Cubist periods. See the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, walk the ROYAL WAY of the Czech kings, WENCESLAUS SQUARE and visit one of Europe's most important JEWISH QUARTERS, its synagogues and cemetery. We will also have a private behind the scenes tour of the intimate ESTATES THEATRE, site of Mozart's premieres of Don Giovanni, La Clemenza di Tito and the Prague Symphony. Luncheon at U PATRONA restaurant.

Following lunch, visit the VILLA BERTRAMKA, formerly the home of the Dusek family where Mozart stayed and composed parts of Don Giovanni and which is now a museum dedicated to Mozart in Prague.

This evening: Offenbach’s LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN (National Theatre - 7:00 PM). The cast: Hoffmann: Marc Laho, Olympia: Martina Masaryková, Giulietta: Jitka Svobodová, Antonia: Pavla Vykopalová, Nicklausse: Katerina Jalovcová, Coppélius/Dapertutto/Miracle/Lindorf: Donnie Ray Albert, Spalanzani: Jan Ježek; Michel Swierczewski conducts.

Monday, March 29 - DEPARTURE (B)

Transfers will be provided to all tour guests for flight departures from Prague today.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
Land Arrangements: $6,395.00 per person sharing a twin/double room
Single Room Supplement: $895.00
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The deposit required to hold space on this tour is $2,000.00 per person.

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LAND ARRANGEMENTS PRICE INCLUDES:

* 8 nights hotel accommodation as detailed above. * Buffet breakfast daily. * Meals as indicated by (B), (B,L), (B,L,D) -- B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner. * All transfers and touring by private air-conditioned vehicles. * Best available tickets for all performances included. * Entrance fees for all included touring.* Meet & greet services at all airports for arrivals and departures. * Gratuities for two pieces of luggage per person. Land arrangements price is based on sharing a twin/double hotel room. Land Arrangements Price does NOT include: Entrance visas and departure taxes as required; items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls; both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks; incidental expenses at hotels, etc.; gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel personnel which are at the client’s discretion; travel and medical insurance; meals not detailed above; air fare.

AIR TRANSPORTATION:

Any flights from any airport -- may be arranged with Dailey-Thorp's air agent in New York -- Mr. Christophe Buszkiewicz; Telephone 212-944-2121, ext. 2829 and/or ext. 2217. Having been the manager of Dailey-Thorp's air department for many years in New York, Christophe is familiar with all our tour operations. Or, tour guests may book their flights through their local travel agent or directly with the airlines.

CURRENCY FLUCTUATION:

Please note that, depending on the fluctuation of the Euro against the US Dollar, there may be a surcharge resulting from additional increases of the EURO. This will be established approximately one month prior to the commencement of the tour.

CANCELLATION OF TOUR:

LAND ARRANGEMENTS: For cancellation by the client, these charges will apply: Cancellations received 60 days or more prior to tour commencement = $250.00 per person; 59-31 days prior = 50% of land arrangements price; less than 31 days prior =100% of land arrangements price; no appearance/no written notice = 100% of the land arrangements price. No refunds will be made for any part of the tour package, such as sightseeing, meals, performances or transfers, which are voluntarily omitted by any tour member; the tour is sold as a package. We must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of the tour.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: Cancellation of AIR FLIGHTS will be subject to the cancellation policy of the airline.

TRIP INSURANCE: WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. An application for travel insurance will be included with our acknowledgment of your reservation. We suggest that you apply for it as soon as possible after signing up for a tour. Should it become necessary for you to cancel due to illness or business reasons the policy may cover your losses (subject to insurance terms).

All cancellations must be in writing.
All tour programs are subject to change by the operator.

CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS HEARTILY RECOMMENDED!

DT1015 --- 10/31/09